Information Deprivation Trauma or IDT is a concept that emerged out of research with the Deaf community (Schild, 2007). It is an interactional concept requiring: (a) a state of fear, helplessness of horror, (b) due to a belief in an impending traumatic or negative event or lack of understanding of the extent/magnitude/consequences of a current traumatic or negative event, and (c) an inability to access information about this event that would reasonably allow a person to prepare and/or self-protect. Due to the lack of information about this negative or traumatic event, vulnerability to traumatization is increased by influencing factors such as controllability, suddenness, and negativity. IDT appears especially relevant and prevalent among people with hearing loss, since a large amount of information in our society is transmitted through sound. Examples of IDT are provided within the context of the Deaf community as well as other hearing populations, which may be especially vulnerable to IDT, such as young children or the elderly. To guide in the assessment and intervention of IDT – the Information Deprivation Trauma Interview – is introduced (see below).
To assess for IDT, Dr. Schild and Dr. Dalenberg developed the Information Deprivation Trauma Interview (IDTI):
Identified trauma or threat: ____________________________________________________
When did this event occur? Is this event still ongoing? ____________________________
Did the person experience fear, helplessness, or horror? ___________________________
1. Do you feel like you can predict when the event or the next stage of the event is going to happen? (Suddenness and Predictability) ________________________________
2. Do you know how this event will evolve? (Predictability) ______________________
3. Do you know where to get further information about this event or threat? (Predictability) ______________________________________________________________
4. Do you feel you have access to resources that would protect you in the event that this event occurs or reoccurs? (Controllability) _________________________________
5. Can you evaluate the seriousness of the event and its applicability to you and your family? Could you recover from this event? (Negativity)__________________________
Interventions:
• List family members or friends able to access information about the trauma/threat and keep the individual informed: ____________________________________________
• List individuals or services that can reliably or automatically notify the individual about impending threats in their area of concern: _______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
• List community resources (with TTY access for Deaf clients) that is relevant to the person’s needs: ____________________________________________________________
a)________________________________________________________________________
b)________________________________________________________________________
c)________________________________________________________________________
• List internet websites that are specifically oriented towards the needs of this client:
a)________________________________________________________________________
b)________________________________________________________________________
c)________________________________________________________________________
• List emergency preparedness materials/kits could be given that are specifically oriented towards the needs of this client:
a)________________________________________________________________________
b)________________________________________________________________________
c)________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Dr. Sven Schild
CA Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 22339)
Professional Psychotherapy and Assessment Services
Mailing Address:
Sven Schild, Ph.D., Psychologist, Inc.
PO Box 2338
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 602-2847
sven.schild@gmail.com
